Mountain Home AFB will celebrate 60th anniversary of USAF this Friday

A heritage flight of A-10's and P-51's will be part of the show.

Mountain Home AFB will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Air Force becoming a separate branch of the service with a heritage day this Friday, Sept. 14.

The event opens to the public beginning at noon and will officially kick off with the national anthem at 1:30 p.m., an opening flyover with two F-15Es and three F-15Cs and a speech given by Col. James Browne, the new 366th Fighter Wing commander.

Members of the A-10 West Coast demonstration team will join aircraft for a heritage flight at 3:30 p.m. Other aircraft that will be included in the day's events include a P-51 Mustang (WWII's finest fighter), an F-86 Sabre (the premier jet of the Korean War) and a C-130.

While aircraft demonstrations will be included in the celebration, officials with the wing stress that it will not be a full-fledged air show like in previous years.

"People need to remember that it's not an air show," said Maj. Michael Weaver, 390th Fighter Squadron assistant director of operations. "The whole purpose of this event is to celebrate 60 years of Air Force heritage."

Each squadron will host a unit exhibit for people to view throughout the day beginning at noon and ending at 6 p.m. The displays will reflect each squadron's unique history.

Other events will continue throughout the base including military working dog demonstrations at 1, 4:15 and 5 p.m.; munitions loads at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. and the base fire department's wall of water demonstrations at 2 p.m.

Most events and displays will be on the echo aircraft parking ramp next to hangar 201. Signs will advertise locations of each event while tents with seating will be placed around the unit exhibits and will include food and beverages for purchase.

The entry control point to access the flight line will be located at the corner of Alpine Street and 1st Avenue between hangar 201 and the maintenance group headquarters building.

Guests are reminded that pets will not be permitted on base during the celebration. Military members will wear the uniform of the day unless otherwise directed.

The general public must enter through the Grand View Gate and will have access to the base starting at noon with the opportunity to view the unit exhibits before the playing of the national anthem. The base closes to the public at 6 p.m. with the last events finishing up around 5:30 p.m.